Independent candidates will, for the first time, be able to run in 2024’s national election. This means someone does not need to be a member of a political party to stand for national office. This will radically change the election landscape: Not only will the pool of candidates widen beyond the confines of political parties but, with independents, we will have MPs who are directly accountable to their voters.
Yes, we should be celebrating this new approach to how we run our elections but it does not go far enough in levelling the playing field between independent candidates and political parties.
This week, independent candidate groups urgently challenged in the Constitutional Court how the laws dictate seat allocation, signature requirements and other aspects.
The applicants argue that the new electoral law violates the constitutional principle of proportional representation. They also say it infringes on the equality of all votes, as independent candidates need more votes than party candidates to win a seat.
It’s easy to sympathise with them even though there is a risk of frivolity if the court were to grant the applicant’s petition to reduce the number of signatures for independent candidates to make it onto the ballot.
The court has an opportunity to make history by ruling in favour of the applicants. This would be a victory for democracy and a step forward for SA.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.